Best 5 Gimbals for Mirrorless & DSLR Cameras

3-axis stabilization

The Zhiyun Crane M3 is a gimbal that can be used with camera phones, action cameras, and mirrorless cameras, unlike other gimbals that have a minimum and maximum payload. The Crane M3 is a three-axis gimbal that, when activated, uses three motors to regulate the camera or smartphone's angle. The Crane M3 has a maximum tilt of 309 degrees, a roll range of 333 degrees, and a pan range of 360 degrees.

Quick-release plate for easy attachment

A quick-release plate that Zhiyun has provided can be used to attach your camera. A slide-and-press locking mechanism secures the plate into the catch, making it relatively simple to remove or replace your imaging equipment, for example, if you need to change the batteries.

Six navigational modes

The modes include standard options like Lock Mode, Pan Follow Mode, and Follow Mode. In contrast to Follow Mode, a Go Mode offers a quicker option that does not necessarily require users to manually tweak the settings to increase responsiveness. Two additional settings offer more creative choices - Portrait Mode which stabilizes the camera when oriented at 90 degrees from normal, and Vortex Mode which allows users to entirely revolve the camera around a point creating an impressive effect while tilting it forward.

Built-in lights

On the left side of the camera, the Crane M3 contains a fill light made of a small, rectangular panel that can produce up to 800 lumens. The light is turned on and off by pressing and holding the side wheel. By turning the wheel, you can adjust the brightness and color temperature of the display.

An overlooked competitor

The AK4500 has a competitive price, supports payloads up to 4.6kg - more than any other single-handed gimbal currently available - and has an integrated touchscreen on the handle for quick setting changes. Additionally, it has a wireless controller that a second person can use to control camera movement through motion. The wireless controller also functions as a handle for "suitcase-style" low-to-the-ground pictures.

Easy setup

For those who have previously used a gimbal, the setup is quick and simple. The fact that each axis has locks is a major benefit, and the numeral marks on each gimbal arm make it easy to identify the balance point fast. Should you need to take handed pictures, the quick-release plate that comes with the camera makes it simple to remove the camera.

User-friendly menu

The handle's integrated touchscreen is a total game-changer. Unlike other gimbals, this one just requires one hand to make on-the-fly adjustments. The menu system is quite simple to use and allows you to quickly swipe between the various settings.

Compatible with Manfrotto and Arca

The AK4500 supports a variety of shooting settings, making it a flexible gimbal as well. With its camera baseplate, which is compatible with Manfrotto and Arca Swiss-style plates, you have a variety of mounting options. Additionally, mounting an extension rod below the gimbal enables you to use two hands more comfortably. Additionally, you can use the little tripod that is included to set the stabilizer on a flat surface.

Knob for perfect balancing

On the tilt axis of the RS 3 Pro, there is a new fine-tuning knob. You can rapidly achieve the ideal balance for the camera and lens by turning this knob. You may run a balance test in conjunction with the DJI app. The axes that are balanced and those that require adjustment are subsequently disclosed in a helpful diagnostic report.

Bigger touchscreen

The touchscreen on the RS 3 Pro is 28% bigger than that on the RS 2 model, making it larger than earlier models. Additionally, the OLED touchscreen is brighter than the LCD touchscreen on the RS 2, making it simpler to view and use in bright light.

Mode switch

The RS 3 Pro's new gimbal Mode Switch makes it easier and more ergonomic to switch between modes when using the gimbal because changing modes on a touchscreen may be a bit of a hassle.

Multiple accessories in the kit

The RS 3 Pro Combo kit is also packed full of accessories to enhance your shooting experience. These include a Focus Motor and mounting kit that enables you to change the focus of your lens by rotating the dial at the front of the stabilizer.

Companion app

The free DJI smartphone app is what significantly increases the RS 3 Pro's performance. Using an onscreen joypad, the software lets you remotely pan and tilt the gimbal. You can tilt and pan your smartphone in the Force Mobile mode of the app to make the stand-mounted gimbal match your hand movements. View Force Mobile in action in the video on this page.

Follow modes

It offers a number of follow modes that may be used to produce fluid footage when traveling across various surfaces or trailing a variety of subjects. The fact that it can be configured to follow focus with some particular Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras is additional good news. While the trigger on the handle locks and unlocks the movements, changes to selfie mode, and centers the gimbal, pressing the joystick toggles through the follow modes. The wheel's button provides access to the focus selections.

Quick-release plate

The Moza Air 2 now has a convenient quick-release plate that you can use to remove and reinstall the camera without having to deal with re-balancing the gimbal. You have no idea how helpful and time-saving this is. You can quickly switch between a tripod and a gimbal.

Li-ion batteries

The Moza Air 2 has 4 replaceable 18650 Li-ion batteries that can run for up to 16 hours, in contrast to most camera gimbals which normally have built-in batteries. The 18650 batteries enable filmmakers to have extra power in their toolset for a full day of filming and are easily accessible and reasonably priced.

Comfortable grip

With the first Weebill LAB, Zhiyun pioneered new ground by eschewing the conventional pistol grip design. Instead, they add a second handle to the gimbal's back to make it simpler to hold with both hands and to facilitate low-angle underslung pictures. This concept, in my opinion, offers significant advantages over the conventional gimbal system, therefore I'm happy they used it for the Weebill-S.

Six shooting modes

Operational modes include Pan following, Locked, Following, POV, Go, and Vortex. The dedicated buttons make it simple and quick to switch between the modes.

Quick-release plate

For individual calibration and tuning, the gimbal has locks for each of the three axes. It also has a two-part quick-release plate for the camera that is simple to remove and adaptable to alternative tripod systems in case you need to go from one platform to another.

Adjustments through the app

For each axis separately, you may change the dead banding, follow speed, smoothness, motor strength, and other settings. As previously, you can adjust all of this through Zhiyun's app if you'd like, but it's now much quicker to adjust things without fiddling with your phone first.